Tholymis tillarga (Fabricius, 1798)

(Fig. 100)

Libellula tillarga Fabricius, 1798: 285; Tholymis paratillarga Singh & Baijal, 1954 .

Distribution (Fig. 101). This species has a wide global distribution, being recorded from the Afrotropical and Oriental regions (including Japan), northeastern Australia and various Pacific islands (Tsuda 2000). In New Caledonia, it has been recorded from more than 15 localities. Winstanley & Davies (1983) records it from the Houaïlou River and from the municipality of Ouégoa and specimens collected in 2001 and 2002 in La Foa (Pocquereux valley) are kept in the CXMNC collection.

Habitat. It occurs in swamps, ponds and lakes, including forests and very calm parts of running water habitats. It avoids ultramafic soil.

Biology and behaviour. Its larva is illustrated by Lieftinck (1962) and we found exuviae in various parts of Grande Terre. Migratory and coloniser, T. tillarga flies mostly toward dusk, making its observation difficult, but the white pruinescence of the male wings appears luminous at twilight. In cloudy weather, it can fly as early as 14:30–15:00. Often numerous, males patrol along banks of water bodies. They frequently inspect the banks by hovering at fixed points, looking for females laying their eggs in inconspicuous places along the banks. Females oviposit by touching the water surface or floating plants debris (Miller & Miller 1985; Grand 2004b). This species flies even in light rain.

Status. Because of its crepuscular habits, T. tillarga is easy to miss, but it is much more common than records suggest. We rank it NT.